ICH BIN EIN FRANKFURTER
Ian Shaw finds the exacting standards and precision of German design are his perfect fit

‘He’s more German than the Germans’. That’s what they say: colleagues, clients and friends. It’s a little weird, I’m a Mancunian, but it is flattering: German architecture is all about exacting standards and tectonic precision. They call it ‘Baukunst’ – the recognition of building as an art form – and this is what we aspire to in our projects.
Ian Shaw Architekten was established in 1998. There are six of us and I am the only Engländer. We are based in Frankfurt, but we receive commissions from all over the country. We have also completed projects in the US, Russia and India.

Before moving to Germany, I spent three years in London, having graduated from Liverpool University in 1989. I worked first with Ken Armstrong – which was quite an experience. Although the firm was small, its architecture was widely published and won numerous awards for design excellence. But after a year I was looking for something more structured. I wanted to hone my detailing skills, and I when I joined Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands this is what I did. LDS also gave me the opportunity to work on some decent design projects – the wing-like canopy roof for south London’s Oxo tower restaurant building on the Thames being one of the most interesting.

Back to Europe
After three years, though, I wanted to get back to Europe – sorry, I mean mainland Europe! I was spoilt having done my internship with the acclaimed Swiss practice arb Architekten in Bern: with such clarity of thought, and its integration of design and construction, the firm does some beautiful work. The master builder ideal – ‘Baumeister’ – is alive and well out there. So when I got the opportunity to work in Germany – which comes a very good second to the Swiss – I had to take it. I had learnt German during my time in Bern. Actually, I had learnt Swiss German, but while I knew it was different, I didn’t appreciate how different. Big mistake. It must have taken me a good six months to adjust to High German (Hoch Deutsch). My colleagues wanted to speak English, but I insisted on German. They were very patient with me.

The company that I joined, and subsequently worked with for two years, was Braun and Voight, a highly respected practice in Frankfurt am Main.
Within six months I was promoted to project director. This did feel a little odd because I was the youngest architect in my own team. One of my colleagues was in his early 60s. He was a site supervisor. His knowledge of construction was incredible; he gave me such an insight into the building culture over here: it’s about ‘making’ architecture, creating a sense of permanence, and being part of a tectonic tradition.
I need to stress that I’m not suggesting such attitudes don’t exist in Britain. But it just feels more pronounced in Germany. Everything is taken to the nth degree. Building regulations are incredibly exacting, but it makes you sharper, more disciplined and more demanding. In Germany we just assume the very highest standards. You don’t have to apologise over here if measurements are out by a couple of millimetres – it’s done again until it’s right. And this applies to all areas of construction.

Super sustainable
Another issue that is central to building design in Germany, and has been for some time, is the environment. The country’s green credentials are second to none. The first Passivhaus dwellings, I believe, were built in Darmstadt as early as 1991.
In fact, we are working with one of Germany’s leading environment engineers, Professor Tichelman, at Darmstadt University of Technology – developing our own version of the plus energy house concept. And within this work process it’s the architect who controls the costings. We don’t have quantity surveyors in Germany. Not surprisingly, this helps us appreciate how much things actually cost. Moreover, along with environmental issues, it informs how we design and how we build. This methodology applies to all our projects, both here and abroad. And yes, of course, we would love to build in the UK.

My architectural education – along with my three years of professional experience in London – taught me design theory, but the Germans taught me how to make buildings work. I still miss English humour, though. No one does irony like the Brits.

PROFILE

Studio

Established in 1998, Ian Shaw Architekten is an award winning, international practice based in Frankfurt, offering a full architectural service together with urban design and master-planning; interior architecture; furniture and product design; and acoustics & sound system design.

The practice has extensive experience in a wide range of building types, having delivered projects across the commercial, culture, healthcare, industrial and residential sectors.

Ian Shaw Architekten holds membership of both the Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Principles

The practice is interested in the communicative potential of construction and materiality. Integral to this approach is the use of light as a building element, defining space and animating form.

Every scheme we undertake is developed with efficiency, elegance and authenticity; and always articulated with close reference to context and function.

In essence, our buildings aim to generate a strong sense of place through visceral, experiential content; it is about rooting an architecture in its culture and topography.

Process

Everything we create is the outcome of an intensive dialogue between our clients and ourselves. Each detail is carefully considered. From concept design to completion - encompassing working drawings, specifications, rigorous site supervision and cost control - our methodology is exacting.

In addition, we make extensive use of models in developing a new project. This process is fundamental; it keeps us grounded. We design; computers assist. Technology plays its role but it's never a substitute for the art of space making, the art of building

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IAN SHAW

DIRECTOR

Ian Shaw was educated at the University of Liverpool, UK, and the University of Oregon, USA, with his internship spent at the highly respected Swiss practice, arb Architects.

Following six years working in some of Europe’s leading architectural firms, Ian established Ian Shaw Architekten in Frankfurt am Main in 1998. Under his guidance, the practice has built a reputation for exacting quality, delivering a wide range of building typologies, for both public and private clients, across the commercial, culture, healthcare, industrial and residential sectors.

Professionally, Ian is a director of the Frankfurt division of the Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA), a member of the city's planning advisory committee, co-director of Architecture Summer Rhein-Main and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

In the academic field, he is visiting lecturer at both Universität Mainz and Technische Universität Darmstadt. In Mainz, he teaches foundation intermediary & advanced design; and in Darmstadt, acoustics & integrated services.

GRAEME RUSSELL

CONSULTANT

For the past twenty years, Graeme Russell has specialised in creative programming and production in the fields of architecture, art and design. Major projects include: developing CUBE, Manchester's critically acclaimed architecture and design centre; originating and producing the RIBA's largest external exhibition programme to date, Le Corbusier - The Art of Architecture in Liverpool, London and Venice; and curating more than forty exhibition projects, many of them UK firsts, featuring leading international architects, artists and designers. In addition to his consultancy work with Ian Shaw Architekten, Graeme is currently working with the RIBA, BDA Frankfurt & Architectursommer Rhein-Main 2015